For the 2025 school year, there are 21 public middle schools serving 11,019 students in Lakeland, FL.
The top ranked public middle schools in Lakeland, FL are Magnolia Montessori Academy, Lakeland Montessori Middle School and Mckeel Academy Of Technology. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lakeland, FL public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the Florida public middle school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 52% statewide average). Middle schools in Lakeland have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Florida public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public middle school average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Lakeland, FL (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Magnolia Montessori Academy
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
815 S. Central Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 797-4991
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 797-4991
Gr: K-8 | 178 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #22.
Lakeland Montessori Middle School
Charter School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1124 N. Lake Parker Ave
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 413-0003
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 413-0003
Gr: 6-8 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #33.
Mckeel Academy Of Technology
Charter School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1810 Parker St W
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2818
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2818
Gr: 7-12 | 1,722 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
Lawton Chiles Middle Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
400 Florida Ave N
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2742
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2742
Gr: 6-8 | 671 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #55.
Rochelle School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1501 Martin L King Jr Ave
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 499-2810
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 499-2810
Gr: PK-8 | 803 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #66.
Lakeland Highlands Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
740 Lake Miriam Dr
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3500
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3500
Gr: 6-8 | 1,260 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #77.
Polk Full Time Eschool
(Math: 33% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
604 S. Central Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 354-3999
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 354-3999
Gr: K-12 | 455 students Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #88.
Rosabelle W. Blake Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
510 Hartsell Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2870
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2870
Gr: PK-8 | 603 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #99.
Maynard A Traviss Technical Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3225 Winter Lake Rd
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2700
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2700
Gr: 6-12 | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1010.
Polk Virtual Instruction Program
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
604 S. Central Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 354-3999
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 354-3999
Gr: K-12 | 28 students Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1111.
Lake Gibson Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6901 Socrum Loop Rd N
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6151
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6151
Gr: 6-8 | 1,118 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1212.
Southwest Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2815 Eden Pkwy
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2840
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2840
Gr: 6-8 | 745 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1313.
Sleepy Hill Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2215 Sleepy Hill Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 815-6577
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 815-6577
Gr: 6-8 | 1,087 student Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1414.
Crystal Lake Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2410 Crystal Lake Dr N
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2970
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2970
Gr: 6-8 | 865 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1515.
Kathleen Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3627 Kathleen Pnes
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6040
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6040
Gr: 6-8 | 835 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1616.
Pace Center For Girls
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
213 Tyler Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 688-5596
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 688-5596
Gr: 6-12 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1717.
Doris A. Sanders Learning Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1201 Enchanted Dr
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2980
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2980
Gr: PK-12 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1818.
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3333 Winter Lake Rd
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2860
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2860
Gr: 6-12 | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1919.
Real Academy (Reaching Every Adolescent Learner)
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
951 Mount Airy Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 534-0500
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 534-0500
Gr: 4-12 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: n/an/a
Eckerd Connects Strive Academy
Alternative School
1140 N Combree Rd
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 413-2948
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 413-2948
Gr: 6-12 | 19 students Minority enrollment: 63%
Lakeland, Florida Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
A.c.e. Charter School (Closed 2013)
Charter School
710 East Bella Vista St
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 686-3189
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 686-3189
Gr: PK | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Amikids (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
618 North Massachussets Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 682-7600
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 682-7600
Gr: 6-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
3425 New Jersey Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 619-7170
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 619-7170
Gr: K-8 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Drop Back In High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
302 Memorial Blvd E
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 687-9222
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 687-9222
Gr: 9-12 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Eckerd Connects (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1140 N Combee Rd
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 413-2948
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 413-2948
Gr: 6-12 | 25 students Minority enrollment: 80%
Ese Countywide (Closed 2018)
Special Education School
910 Lowry Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2963
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2963
Gr: K-12
Expulsion Program (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
3225 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2728
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2728
Gr: 6-12 | 34 students Minority enrollment: 50%
Foundation School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1325 George Jenkins Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33802
(863) 682-8111
Lakeland, FL 33802
(863) 682-8111
Gr: 6-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
750 Hollingsworth Road
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2855
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2855
Gr: 9-12 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Kathleen Step Up Academy (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
1100 Red Devil Way
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2655
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2655
Gr: 9-12
Lake Gibson Step Up Academy (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
7007 N Socrum Loop Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6100
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6100
Gr: 9-12
Lakeland Teen Parent Program (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
910 Lowry Avenue
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2954
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2954
Gr: PK-12 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Live Oaks Academy (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
2510 N Florida Avenue
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 686-3010
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 686-3010
Gr: 7-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
900 Lowry Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 665-4538
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 665-4538
Gr: PK-12
510 Hartsell Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2870
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2870
Tenoroc Step Up Academy (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
4905 Saddle Creek Rd
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 614-9183
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 614-9183
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Lakeland, FL?
The top ranked public middle schools in Lakeland, FL include Magnolia Montessori Academy, Lakeland Montessori Middle School and Mckeel Academy Of Technology.
How many public middle schools are located in Lakeland?
21 public middle schools are located in Lakeland.
What is the racial composition of students in Lakeland?
Lakeland public middle schools minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public middle schools average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Lakeland are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Lakeland include: Sleepy Hill Middle School vs. Kathleen Middle School, Kathleen Middle School vs. Sleepy Hill Middle School, Polk Virtual Instruction Program vs. Polk Full Time Eschool
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
